Created by the Mount Si High School
Counseling Department
What is Running Start

An opportunity for juniors and seniors to take college
courses while still in high school
How much does it cost?

Tuition is free. Books, supplies, transportation, and lab
fees are the student’s responsibility.
Where do I go to school?

 You can have a blended schedule where you take
some classes at Mount Si and some at the community
college or take all of your courses at the community
college
 Schools in our area include Bellevue College, Green
River Community College and Lake Washington
Technical College

What are the pros
and cons of
running start?
Pros

 There is a wider variety of classes offered.
 Students who find that the traditional high school is not
fitting their needs can flourish in a different setting.
 You can earn up to two years of college credits FREE.
 If you know exactly what you want to do in life. Running
Start can give you a great head start.
 One three-month college class (5 credits) equals 1 year
long or 1 credit of high school classes.
 You have an opportunity to take classes that apply to
your chosen degree/career.
Cons

 Taking MSHS AP classes looks good on college applications.
 Not all Running Start credits may transfer to four-year
colleges.
 Transportation is your responsibility.
 You might miss out on high school experiences
 Running Start requires you to be independent and
responsible
 College requires more work in less time, with less support from
teachers. Some students who are academically ready may find the
independence and the speed of college classes overwhelming; they
may benefit by remaining in high school classes.
Cons

 Community colleges operates on the quarter system.
Mount Si operates on a semester system. Holidays
and vacation periods may be different. Students are
expected to attend classes at the college even though
their high school is not in session.
 Student is in charge of meeting deadlines at the high
school and for running start independently
Mount Si Credits

Semester 1
Semester 2
1st period (0.5 credits)
1st period (0.5 credits)
2nd period (0.5 credits)
2nd period (0.5 credits)
3rd period (0.5 credits)
3rd period (0.5 credits)
4th period (0.5 credits)
4th period (0.5 credits)
5th period (0.5 credits)
5th period (0.5 credits)
6th period (0.5 credits)
6th period (0.5 credits)
Community College Schedule

Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Fall Quarter (1 credit)
Winter Quarter (1 credit) Spring Quarter (1 credit)
Fall Quarter (1 credit)
Winter Quarter (1 credit) Spring Quarter (1 credit)
Fall Quarter (1 credit)
Winter Quarter (1 credit) Spring Quarter (1 credit)
College VS High School
Personal Freedom

Personal Freedom in High School
Your time is usually structured by
others.
You can count on parents and
teachers for guidance and to
remind you of your responsibilities
Personal Freedom in College
You manage your own time.
You will be faced with new moral
and ethical decisions. You must
balance responsibilities and set
priorities.
Guiding Principle: You will
Guiding Principle: You're old
usually be told what your
enough to take responsibility for
responsibilities are and corrected if your decisions and their
your behavior is out of line.
consequences.
College VS High School
Classes

High School Classes
The school year is 36 weeks long;
some classes extend over both
semesters and some do not.
Teachers carefully monitor class
attendance.
You are provided with textbooks
at little or no cost.
College Classes
The academic year is divided into
three separate 11 week quarters,
plus 3 days at the end of the
quarter for final exams.
Some instructors factor attendance
into final grades.
You must budget $200 or more for
textbooks each quarter.
College VS High School
Studying

Studying in High School
Study time outside of class can be as
little as 2 hours per week, and this may
be for last-minute test preparation.
Class participation is often all that is
necessary to learn what is needed.
Guiding Principle: You are usually
told in class what you need to learn
from assigned readings.
Studying in College
You should plan to study 2 to 3 hours
outside of class for each in-class hour
throughout the quarter to achieve
mastery. You will need to review class
notes and assignments regularly.
Substantial reading and writing
assignments may not be directly
reviewed in class.
Guiding Principle: It's up to you to
read and understand the reading
assignments. Lectures and other
assignments presume you have
already done so.
College VS High School
Teachers

High School Teachers
Teachers approach you if they believe
you need assistance.
Teachers provide you with
information you missed when you
were absent.
Teachers often write information on
the board to be copied into your notes.
College Teachers
Most instructors expect you to initiate
contact if you need assistance.
Instructors expect you to get notes
from classmates for information you
missed.
Good note-taking skills are a must;
instructors expect you to identify the
important points.
Teachers often take time to remind you Instructors expect you to consult the
of assignments and due dates.
course syllabus for all important class
information.
College VS High School
Tests

Tests in High School
Frequent tests covering small
amount of material.
Teachers may rearrange test dates
to avoid conflict with school
events.
Tests in College
2 or 3 tests per quarter, may be
cumulative, covering large
amounts of material.
Instructors in different courses
usually schedule tests without
regard to the demands of other
courses or outside activities.
College VS High School
Grades

Grades in High School
Consistently good homework or "extra
credit" may raise your overall grade
when test scores are low.
Initial low test grades may not have an
adverse effect on your final grade.
Guiding Principle: Effort counts.
Teachers reward a good-faith effort.
Grades in College
Grades on tests and major papers
usually comprise most of the course
grade.
Generally, all tests contribute
substantially to your final grade. A
low initial test is a "wake-up call".
Guiding Principle: Results count.
Instructors expect quality work.
If you fail one or more classes at the
community college you are placed on
academic probation. If it happens the
following quarter you will be forced to
leave the program attend Mt. Si Full
time
Want to know more
about Running Start?
Fall 2013 Student/Parent
Information Sessions
Date
Time
Location
Thursday, February 21
7:00 PM
N201
Thursday, March 7
7:00 PM
N201
Saturday, March 9
10:00 AM
N201
1:00 PM
N201
3:00 PM
N201
7:00 PM
N201
Thursday, March 21
For More Information, Contact:
Bellevue College High School Programs
Phone: 425-564-2026
E-mail: hsprograms@bellevuecollege.edu
Web Site: http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/hsprograms
Fall 2013 Deadlines
Applications Due - Friday, April 19th
• Complete and submit application online through High School Programs Web Site
• Receive your student ID via e-mail on or before April 30, 2013
Take Assessment - By Thursday, May 2nd
• Register online to take the Compass Placement Test

Receive Pre-Registration Information
• If you meet the testing deadline and place into English 101 contact HS Programs
Office
• You will receive via email orientation registration information on or before May 24,
2013
• Register online for orientation registration
• The enrollment verification form
• Campus Map
Complete Enrollment Verification Form
• Meet with High School Counselor
• Parents, Students, Counselor Signature
• Bring completed and signed RS Enrollment Verification Form to the
High School Programs Office B233 on or before Wednesday, May 29,
2013
Attend Running Start New Student Orientation
• Orientation is mandatory!
•Orientation dates and times to TBD
• Register for class/es on or before June 29th
• Student & Parent Welcome TBD (August or September)
• Campus Tours
How to enroll at BC
Step 1of 5

Step 1:
Submit Running Start Application
How to enroll at BC
Step 2 of 5
Step 2:
Take Assessment

Once you have received your Bellevue College Student I.D. Number via
Email.
• Check the Assessment Office Testing Calendar for open testing days and
times.
• Students must take the Compass Assessment Placement
• Please notify the High School Programs office upon completion of the
test. Placement into English 101 is required for the Running Start
Program.
• The testing fee is $21.50
• A sample assessment can be found here
Bring the following items to the test:
• Picture ID. You will not be allowed to test without it.
• BC Student ID Number. Emailed to you by the HS Programs staff
• Bring check or money order in the amount of $21.50
•
How to enroll at BC
Step 3of 5

Step 3:
Receive your Pre-Registration Packet
Upon completion of the steps above, the pre-registration packet
will be e-mailed to you. It will include the following:
• An orientation date and time
• The enrollment verification form
• Bellevue College campus map
• A class schedule can be accessed at
http://bellevuecollege.edu/classes/
How to enroll at BC
Step 4 of 5

Step 4:
 Make an appointment with your High School Counselor
 Complete Running Start Enrollment Verification Form with
your high school counselor
 Plan your class schedule and have the Running Start
Enrollment Verification Form signed by high school counselor.
 Be sure that the course load between Bellevue College and your
High School don’t exceed the course load limit.
 Carefully read, complete, and sign the form with all
participating parties (student, HS counselor, parent/guardian,
and Running Start Coordinator).
 Bring your Enrollment Verification Form to Mandatory
Running Start New Student Orientation
How to enroll at BC
Step 5 of 5
Step 5:

Attend Mandatory New Student
Orientation
Running Start New Student Orientation
times will vary, based upon application
priority.
Note: Please don’t forget to bring your
Enrollment Verification Form. Without it
you won’t be able to register for classes.
Graduation Requirements

 While you may be full time at Running Start, you
still have to meet the graduation requirements of
Mount Si
 Bellevue College offers equivalent courses to fulfill
your graduation requirements
Credits Mount Si
VS Bellevue College

 Full time Mount Si students can obtain up to six
credits per year.
 Each semester course is worth 0.5 credits
 There are two semesters in each year and full time
means a six class schedule
 Full time running start students can obtain nine
credit per year
 Each quarter course is worth one high school credit
 There are three quarters in which running start runs
each year and full time means a total of three classes
Bellevue College Transfer
Degree Worksheet

 http://bellevuecollege.edu/worksheets/pdfs/transf
er/AAS_DTA.pdf